CPL Damien Enderby and his wife, Jenny, performed strongly in the gruelling 2002 Xterra Australian Championships held in Penrith recently.

RAAF Base Williamtown husband and wife team Jenny and Corporal Damien Enderby provided the Australian Defence Force with some great results in the recent 2002 Xterra Australian Championships, held at Panthers World of Entertainment west of Sydney.

The Enderbys battled temperatures in the high 20s and rough terrain to put in solid performances over the 1.5km swim, 30km mountain bike ride and 11km cross-country run.

Damien was 14th overall male while Jenny was 6th female overall. With Damien finishing third in his age group and Jenny finishing second.

Damien exited the swim in 16th position overall and began to quickly make up lost time over the cycle and run legs. He finished less than three minutes behind first place in the 25 to 29 age group and 40 seconds behind the runner-up.

Jenny came out of the swim shoulder-to-shoulder with the eventual winner of her age group, Great Britain's Rachel Gordon, but was unable to maintain the pressure and lost time in the cycle leg. She finished strongly in the run to record the fourth fastest female run time overall.

Jenny and another ADF competitor, CFN Mayne (Army), will join Teresa Kunaeva (Defence Civilian) in representing both Australia and the ADF in the Xterra World Championships in Maui, Hawaii, on October 27.

Compared to an Ironman Triathlon or marathon, the Xterra's 1.5km swim, 30km cycle and 11km run may sound easy. But throw in a few river crossings featuring fast running water at waist height to an already challenging course and you have a genuine test for most athletes.

The swim proved to be tougher than first expected, with reeds just below the surface of the water for the entire length of the course impeding swimmers' actions.

The bike leg was not very technical but was very demanding with the terrain consisting of thick grass, bitumen, gravel, river rocks and a river crossing that looked like something out of an adventure movie.

Rain from the previous days made the crossing difficult. A rope was put across the river for the competitors to hold on to so they could avoid been washed away by the strong flow.

Owing to the temperatures under the hot sun, competitors said it was very refreshing to hit the water to cool the body down even if it was only for a few moments.

However, this also brought the danger of cramping while in the water, which proved to be a hurdle in itself.

CFN Mayne described this part of the run "as a relief which quickly turned to pain when trying to run again as it felt like my shoes had been swapped for bricks."

By WO2 Greg Young